News
From slavery to the White House
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| Cory Wright performs his ÒObamaÓ rap during FridayÕs Black History Month celebration at Hudson High School. (Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
Black History Month celebrated
By Andrew Amelinckx
Hudson High School celebrated Black History Month Friday with a program titled “From Slavery to the White House,” which featured everything from a rap celebrating President Barack Obama’s election to a rendition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famed 1963 “I have a dream” speech.
The high school chorus sang several songs for the event, including “Harriet Tubman” written in 1977 by composer Walter Robinson.
Tubman was an African-American abolitionist who escaped from slavery in 1849 and would become a conductor on the Underground Railroad — a network of people and safe havens that helped escaped slaves to freedom — and a Union spy during the Civil War. She was also an advocate for women’s rights.
There were several awards given out Friday, including one to Mothers United for Social Enrichment. MUSE is an organization of women who strive to improve the community through the sponsorship of cultural events, community gatherings and fundraisers. They adopt families in need and provide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and provide the funds for an annual scholarship.
Irene Wiley, vice president of MUSE, accepted the award given by the school’s Black History Committee.
Wiley said the organization is made up of mothers who not just take care of their own children, but all children. “It takes a village to raise a child,” she said.
Ellen Henderson was also given an award Friday. She was nominated for the award for her “tireless work on behalf of Hudson High School students,” said the school’s Principal Steven Spicer.
Henderson is a member of the school improvement team, shared decision-making team and the head of the Parents in Partnership program.
A Hudson High School student was also honored at the event. Ahmad Garland was recognized for his “service to his fellow students and concern for his community.” He is a national coalition building trainer and president of Students for Students. The culturally diverse organization, said Spicer, seeks to “enlighten the community and create a school atmosphere of support.”
The Hudson Middle School Step Team also performed at the event. Its performance received a lot of vocal support from the crowd, as did the next act.
Cory Wright performed a rap about both Martin Luther King and the president, which included the refrain “Now we got Obama, crashing through the drama” and referenced a phrase from King’s “I have a dream” speech taken from an old African-American spiritual: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we’re free at last.”
Emanuel Folds was next. He recited King’s “I have a dream” speech from memory. King gave the speech on August 28, 1963 to a crowd of 250,000 people during a massive march on Washington, DC.
The event ended with a performance by Diata Diata International Folkloric Theater. Diata Diata was founded by Andre and Pamela Badila, who perform along with seven of their 10 children. Andre Badila is originally from the Congo and his wife is from New York state. Both were members of African dance groups when they met in Paris. Andre Badila was with the First National Ballet of the Congo, which he co-founded. Pamela Badila was with Le Grand Ballet d’Afrique Noir. Friday’s performance included African drumming and dance.
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
By Andrew Amelinckx
Hudson High School celebrated Black History Month Friday with a program titled “From Slavery to the White House,” which featured everything from a rap celebrating President Barack Obama’s election to a rendition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famed 1963 “I have a dream” speech.
The high school chorus sang several songs for the event, including “Harriet Tubman” written in 1977 by composer Walter Robinson.
Tubman was an African-American abolitionist who escaped from slavery in 1849 and would become a conductor on the Underground Railroad — a network of people and safe havens that helped escaped slaves to freedom — and a Union spy during the Civil War. She was also an advocate for women’s rights.
There were several awards given out Friday, including one to Mothers United for Social Enrichment. MUSE is an organization of women who strive to improve the community through the sponsorship of cultural events, community gatherings and fundraisers. They adopt families in need and provide Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners and provide the funds for an annual scholarship.
Irene Wiley, vice president of MUSE, accepted the award given by the school’s Black History Committee.
Wiley said the organization is made up of mothers who not just take care of their own children, but all children. “It takes a village to raise a child,” she said.
Ellen Henderson was also given an award Friday. She was nominated for the award for her “tireless work on behalf of Hudson High School students,” said the school’s Principal Steven Spicer.
Henderson is a member of the school improvement team, shared decision-making team and the head of the Parents in Partnership program.
A Hudson High School student was also honored at the event. Ahmad Garland was recognized for his “service to his fellow students and concern for his community.” He is a national coalition building trainer and president of Students for Students. The culturally diverse organization, said Spicer, seeks to “enlighten the community and create a school atmosphere of support.”
The Hudson Middle School Step Team also performed at the event. Its performance received a lot of vocal support from the crowd, as did the next act.
Cory Wright performed a rap about both Martin Luther King and the president, which included the refrain “Now we got Obama, crashing through the drama” and referenced a phrase from King’s “I have a dream” speech taken from an old African-American spiritual: “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we’re free at last.”
Emanuel Folds was next. He recited King’s “I have a dream” speech from memory. King gave the speech on August 28, 1963 to a crowd of 250,000 people during a massive march on Washington, DC.
The event ended with a performance by Diata Diata International Folkloric Theater. Diata Diata was founded by Andre and Pamela Badila, who perform along with seven of their 10 children. Andre Badila is originally from the Congo and his wife is from New York state. Both were members of African dance groups when they met in Paris. Andre Badila was with the First National Ballet of the Congo, which he co-founded. Pamela Badila was with Le Grand Ballet d’Afrique Noir. Friday’s performance included African drumming and dance.
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx please call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267, or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
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